The week before Thanksgiving is a very busy time especially for cooks and hosts, there are cookbooks to study, recipes to choose, shopping lists to write and someone has to go to the grocery to buy all the ingredients. A lot of work but totally worth. Let’s be honest for me as a German these days just don’t have the same meaning like for the majority of the USA but I am willing to participate any possible celebration and won’t pass up an opportunity to party. Traveling and to wine and dine are my favorite hobby.
It seams like everyone is going to visit his family over the holidays and this is why it’s the worst busiest time of the year for traveling. My last years airport nightmare still haunts me in my dreams. This year I can avoid to hop on a plane but I am afraid to stuck in traffic jams around Chicago where we are visiting our friends.

Although I am aware of spending some time on the interstate I wanna prepare myself and escape the fear of starving while squeezed in between two trucks somewhere on a highway around Chicago.

Whenever I am on the road, I make some sandwiches and although I can make some darn good ones, it happens that I bring them home without being touched. They just doesn’t look very appealing after being shacked for hours, I guess that just works for martinis.

Something healthy with a lot of energy, sweet but no sugar, easy to grab and eat while driving, with a lot of flavor… here we go this balls are simply great, easy to make and good for you. Travel safe and have a happy Thanksgiving, y’all.

power balls

15 balls if you use a 15 ml, 1 tablespoon cookie scoop

70 g / 10 dried pitted dates
80 g / 1/2 cup golden raisins
60 g / 1/2 cup dried cranberries
60 g / 1/2 cup shelled pistachio nuts
4 tbsp unsweetened, shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon orange juice

Place everything but 2 tablespoons shredded coconut (save the other 2 tablespoons for later) into your food processor and use the pulse button to chop the ingredients.

Form small balls and roll in the remaining coconut. Portioning the balls is a little sticky but very easy with a cookie scoop.

Can be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for several days.